Sanitary receptacle attachment for powder dispensing containers



P 7, 1954 J. P. EISENBERG 2,688,422

' SANITARY RECEPTACLE ATTACHMENT FOR POWDER DISPENSING CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 24, 1951 IN VEN TOR.

Joseph P. Eisenberg ATTOR NEY Patented Sept. 7,1954

SANITARY RECEPTACLE ATTACHMENT FOR POWDER DISPENSING CONTAINERS Joseph P. Eisenberg, Denver, 0010.

Application January 24, 1951, Serial No. 207,630

2 Claims.

My invention relates to receptacle attachments for powder dispensers and more particularly relates to an attachment for the dispenser packages of tooth powder.

In the past, the manufacturers of tooth powder have packaged the material in various types of containers, such as metal cans, bottles and during periods of shortages, in cardboard boxes. In most instances a pouring spout is provided through which small amounts of the powder may be discharged in a tilting movement to satisfy the requirements of the individual user. Some of these spouts are in the form of a narrow neck portion havingan end opening while others provide a slot in the side of the neck portion as the discharge outlet.

Since it is extremely dilficult to pour the powder directly onto a tooth brush without experiencing undue waste, the prevailing practice of most users is to cup the palm of one hand, pour the desired amount of powder therein and then after wetting the brush, to wipe the powder onto the brush. Obviously, such practices are sanitary only under ideal conditions and in most instances are unsanitary in varying degrees, as well as being mussy and unpleasant to most users.

It is an object of my invention to provide a simple, durable and efiicient receptacle attachment for powder dispensing packages adapted to receive powder from the package in small quantities and to maintain such powder in an early accessible position for use and in clean condition.

Another object of the invention is to providea receptacle in combination with a powder-dispensing package which is adapted to receive the poured discharge of the package without any spillage in the normal handling of the package.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be fully described in the course of the following description.

Briefly stated, the inventive concept of the present invention resides in the provision of a sanitary receptacle attachment for powder dispensing packages which moves from a powderreceiving position on the container to a second position of rest or inaction, in which the contents of the receptacle may be transferred to a wetted brush by a wiping movement of the brush within the receptacle. Preferably, the receptacle of this invention is formed of a material that is easily cleaned and may be sterilized by immersion in a suitable solution.

The practice of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partially broken to show the arrangement of parts in section and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention applied to a conventional type of tooth powder container With the receptacle in a position to receive tooth powder from the container;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the container shown in Fig. 1, with the receptacle shown in its inactive position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of container and receptacle with the latter in inactive position; and

Fig. 5 is another fragmentary, perspective view showing an attachment embodying features of my invention applied to a second type of powder container.

As illustrated, a container 6 having a cap portion 1 on which a neck portion 8 acts as a pouring spout is provided with an outlet opening 9 through which the contents of the container may be discharged in measured amounts. The features of the container constitute no part of my invention, and it will be understood that the pouring spout may have a side opening instead of the end opening 9 as shown.

The attachment embodying the features of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a body of suitable material having a container-gripping portion l0 terminating at one end in grips l5, while a cup-like receptacle [2 is pivotally supported from ears or projections l3 by a pin Hi. The body and receptacle may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or metal and preferably will be produced in a variety of colors to permit easy identification where a plurality of such units are in a single household.

As shown in Fig. 2 the receptacle assumes a position of rest when the container 6 is in its normal upright position with the bottom of the receptacle bearing against the cap portion 1 of the container. When the container is tilted to a pouring position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the receptacle I2 will move into a position in which it will intercept powder discharging through the opening 9 in spout 8. After a sufficient quantity of the powder has been collected in the receptacle the container will be returned to its normal position and a tooth brush may be inserted into the receptacle in the manner indicated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of my device adapted for use on containers of oblong crosssection.

By the use of a few basic shapes the attachment of this invention can be used with any standard brand of tooth powder. The attaching arrangement for mounting the receptacle in proximity to the spout is a preferred arrangement, but it will be apparent that other types of hinging arrangement may be used and the receptacle may be made in a variety of shapes and sizes within the spirit and scope of the present invention. I prefer to form the body portion of the attachment with two arms adapted to be placed in the embracing relation with the sides of the can or container to which it is applied. On this account it is preferable that the material of which the body is composed should have a substantial degree of resilience. In this way one size of attachment will function efi'ectively on a variety of containers of different sizes and shapes.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for a tooth powder container having a closed top and a pouring spout extending thereabove; comprising a body having a top wall with a spout receiving opening therein and resilient container gripping means for clamping and unclamping engagement on the closed top of the container below said pouring spout, and an elongated cup shaped powder 001- lecting and toothbrush receiving receptacle mounted for pivotal movement on said body, arms extending from the top wall intermediate said spout opening and the edge of said top wall for pivotally supporting said receptacle, said receptacle having a base portion on one end [or engaging said arms whereby said receptacle is disposed substantially parallel to said top wall in a powder holding position to receive a tooth- 4 brush when said container is in upright position, said receptacle being movable from said parallel position to a position adjacent said pouring spout for receiving powder when said container is tilted into its powder pouring position.

2. An attachment for a tooth powder container having a closed top and a pouring spout extending thereabove; comprising a body having a top Wall with a spout receiving opening therein and a resilient container gripping peripheral flange for clamping and. unclamping engagement on the closed top of the container below said pouring spout, and an elongated cup shaped powder collecting and toothbrush receiving receptacle mounted for pivotal movement on said body, arms extending from the top wall intermediate said spout opening and said flange for pivotally supporting said receptacle, said receptacle having a base portion on one end for engaging said arms whereby said receptacle is disposed substantially parallel to said top wall in a powder holding position to receive a toothbrush when said container is in upright position, said receptacle being movable from said parallel position to a position adjacent said pouring spout for receiving powder when said container is tilted into its powder pouring position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 612,296 Woodward Oct. 11, 1898 1,681,743 Peterson Aug. 21, 1928 1,922,967 Mandabach Aug. 15, 1933 2,296,595 Booty Sep. 22, 1942 2,359,613 Booty Oct. 3, 1944 2,430,204 Baker Nov. 4, 1947 2,518,751 Carlton Aug. 15, 1950 

